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A1 Beginner Grammar 15 minutes 20 questions

Using can and could in affirmative and negative sentences

About this practice test

Practice A1 English grammar with Using can and could in affirmative and negative sentences.

What you’ll practice

Form and structure

Choose accurate forms and word order.

Meaning in context

Use grammar to express precise ideas.

Editing for accuracy

Spot and correct common errors.

What to expect: 20 questions with explanations to review after submission.

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level
A1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
Question formats
Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the complete sentence and notice the subject, verb form, time reference and word order before answering.

  1. Question 1 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    I ___ swim very well now.

    1. cann
    2. can
    3. can't
    4. caan
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    can

    The correct answer is "can".

  2. Question 2 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    She ___ play the piano when she was five.

    1. coud
    2. could
    3. can
    4. couldd
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    could

    The correct answer is "could".

  3. Question 3 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    They ___ see the board because it is too far away.

    1. can
    2. can't
    3. could
    4. cannt
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    can't

    The correct answer is "can't".

  4. Question 4 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Yesterday, I ___ go to school because I was sick.

    1. couldn't
    2. could
    3. couldnt
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    couldn't

    The correct answer is "couldn't".

  5. Question 5 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    We ___ hear the music. It is very loud.

    1. cann
    2. can
    3. could
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    can

    The correct answer is "can".

  6. Question 6 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    My baby brother ___ walk when he was one year old.

    1. could
    2. couldn't
    3. couldnt
    4. can
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    couldn't

    The correct answer is "couldn't".

  7. Question 7 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    I ___ ride a bike now, but I couldn't ride one when I was four.

    1. can
    2. could
    3. cann
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    can

    The correct answer is "can".

  8. Question 8 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    When I was young, I ___ run very fast.

    1. can
    2. couldd
    3. could
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    could

    The correct answer is "could".

  9. Question 9 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    The students ___ use their phones during the test.

    1. can't
    2. can
    3. could
    4. cantt
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    can't

    The correct answer is "can't".

  10. Question 10 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Last night, we ___ see the stars because of the clouds.

    1. could
    2. couldn't
    3. couldnt
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    couldn't

    The correct answer is "couldn't".

  11. Question 11 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She can dance very well.
    2. She can to dance very well.
    3. She cann dance very well.
    4. She could dance very well.
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    She can dance very well.

    The correct answer is "She can dance very well.".

  12. Question 12 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the correct sentence.

    1. He could to play football when he was a child.
    2. He could play football when he was a child.
    3. He couldd play football when he was a child.
    4. He can play football when he was a child.
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    He could play football when he was a child.

    The correct answer is "He could play football when he was a child.".

  13. Question 13 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I can't to speak Japanese.
    2. I can't speak Japanese.
    3. I cant't speak Japanese.
    4. I could speak Japanese.
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    I can't speak Japanese.

    The correct answer is "I can't speak Japanese.".

  14. Question 14 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the correct sentence.

    1. They couldn't came to the party yesterday.
    2. They couldn't come to the party yesterday.
    3. They couldn't com to the party yesterday.
    4. They can't come to the party yesterday.
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    They couldn't come to the party yesterday.

    The correct answer is "They couldn't come to the party yesterday.".

  15. Question 15 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Now I ___ lift this box because it is too heavy.

    1. can
    2. can't
    3. could
    4. cannt
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    can't

    The correct answer is "can't".

  16. Question 16 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Before, my grandfather ___ see well, but now he wears glasses.

    1. could
    2. can
    3. couldd
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    could

    The correct answer is "could".

  17. Question 17 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    We ___ go outside now because it is raining heavily.

    1. can't
    2. can
    3. could
    4. cantt
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    can't

    The correct answer is "can't".

  18. Question 18 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    When my sister was ten years old, she ___ cook simple meals.

    1. can
    2. could
    3. couldd
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    could

    The correct answer is "could".

  19. Question 19 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    I ___ understand the lesson yesterday, so the teacher helped me.

    1. could
    2. couldn't
    3. couldnt
    4. can't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    couldn't

    The correct answer is "couldn't".

  20. Question 20 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the correct word: "They ___ hear the ball, but they couldn't see it."

    1. could
    2. can
    3. coud
    4. couldn't
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    could

    The correct answer is "could".

What to review next

After checking an answer, explain the rule in your own words and write a new sentence using the same pattern. Revisit any rules you could not explain.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

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